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American School in Taichung

Taiwan, Taichung

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 277
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages English, Cantonese, Mandarin
Typical class size 15
Strengths Sport, STEM, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Cultural and Language
Stages Elementary, Secondary School
Introduction

The American School in Taichung (AST) is an international, not-for-profit day school serving grades 1–12 in Taichung, Taiwan. The campus sits in the Dakeng Scenic Area, Beitun District, on a hillside setting. AST offers Elementary and Secondary education with English-language instruction and a core curriculum that includes Math, English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Chinese as a subject, along with ICT, STEM Makerspace, and social-emotional learning. The school uses a Standards-Based Grading system and emphasizes small class sizes. The Head of School is Kelly Konicki. AST runs a robust program of co-curricular activities, including TAIMUN and Model United Nations, Robotics, and a range of clubs (e.g., Red Cross and Handmade for Help). The campus provides lunch and bus services to families, and the school maintains an active calendar of events and programs across grade levels. The contact address is No. 21-1 Chu Yuan Lane, Beitun District, Taichung 406051, Taiwan.

06, Taiwan, Taichung City, Beitun District, Ningyuan Ln

The Essentials

American School in Taichung has 277 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.

Location
Located in the hills of the DaKeng Scenic Area in Beitun District, Taichung. The campus is described as tucked at the base of the hills in a hillside setting near the Dakeng area. The street address is 21-1 Chu Yuan Lane, Beitun, Taichung 406051, Taiwan. The site is accessible by local roads and the school operates bus routes from the campus.

Stages
AST is an all-through school serving grades 1 through 12. It comprises an Elementary School and a Secondary School (covering middle and high school).

Type
AST operates as a fee-paying, day international school that is co-educational. It is described as a co-ed international school that serves global students and uses English as the language of instruction.

Additional learning support
The Counseling Department provides social-emotional well-being and academic achievement support, with counselors available to students and families and the option to arrange external therapy referrals. In Elementary, a student support team works with teachers to address students' needs.

Country affiliation
There is no formal country affiliation stated; AST operates in Taiwan as an international school with an American-style college-preparatory program.

Religious affiliation
No religious affiliation is stated in official materials.

School day structure
Secondary daily programming runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with an 8:00–8:20 advisory, regular class blocks, and a midday lunch; Fridays use a shortened schedule. Elementary programming centers on a Morning Meeting and core subjects (Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies) plus SEL, Chinese, and library time, with a student support team addressing needs.

Bus service
AST provides a school bus service with morning routes and after-school options; ES students are transported to and from designated stops, and there are two afternoon routes for early release (12:20 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.) plus a late bus at 5:10 p.m. The drop-off is across the street from the morning pickup location, and route changes are reviewed during the first two weeks of the school year.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school does not offer boarding. There is no dormitory on campus.

Uniform Requirement
The school does not have uniforms. Students dress according to a dress code, and on PE days they wear the PE uniform.

Food Options
The school offers an optional school lunch program. The lunch vendor is California Grill, with a weekly menu and accommodations for food allergies.
Fees
Application Fees
- Application Fee (per test): TWD 3,000.
- Re-Application Fee (per test): TWD 2,000.

Required Non-Refundable and One-time Fees
- Entrance Fee (new student, first time): TWD 50,000.
- Annual Registration Fee (per academic year): TWD 40,000.
- Capital Fee (per semester): TWD 30,000.
- Individualized Support Fee (per semester; charged when individual support is agreed): TWD 42,500.

Tuition Fees (Refundable amounts listed per semester; annual amounts are two semesters)
- Elementary School (Grades 1–5): TWD 242,000 per semester — TWD 484,000 per year.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8): TWD 258,000 per semester — TWD 516,000 per year.
- High School (Grades 9–12): TWD 268,000 per semester — TWD 536,000 per year.
- Note: Students requiring agreed individualized support may be charged additional fees based on the level of support required. The Individualized Support Fee above is listed per semester where applicable.

Optional Service Fees (per semester)
- Lunch (pre-ordered semester program): Grades 1–5: TWD 17,100; Grades 6–12: TWD 18,000.
- Individual meal purchased on the day of need: TWD 250 per meal.
- Bus (round trip only): TWD 34,000 per semester.

Penalty and Included Items
- Late fee on overdue tuition and fees: TWD 5,000.
- Items included in fees at no additional charge: accident insurance, yearbook, PE uniform, and student planner.

Billing Schedule and Payment Terms
- All tuition and other school fees are payable in new Taiwan dollars (TWD).
- Payment deadlines for the 2025–2026 academic year are:
- First semester fees due in full on or before June 30, 2025.
- Second semester fees due in full on or before November 30, 2025.
- If a student enrolls after the school year begins, tuition and optional fees will be prorated; all other fees (registration, entrance, capital, etc.) must be paid in full.
- Families with three or more children are entitled to a 25% reduction in tuition for each child beginning with the third child (tuition only).
Academics

American School in Taichung teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP).

Curriculum
The American School in Taichung provides an American-style, college-preparatory curriculum for students in grades 1–12, and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In Elementary School, core subjects are Math, English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies, with additional Chinese, ICT, STEM Makerspace, SEL, art, music, PE, and library; instruction uses a Standards-Based Grading system and features daily Morning Meetings based on Responsive Classroom. The Elementary program also offers field trips and community service experiences to broaden learning, with collaboration among homeroom teachers, the learning director, and student support teams. In Secondary School, Advanced Placement courses are available as part of a college-preparatory track, with a focus on personalized learning and global connections through faculty, alumni, and external partners. AST hosts a range of co-curriculars, including Clubs and Sports, TAIMUN, robotics, and student government to complement academic study.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Counseling Department provides Social Emotional Well-Being support, maintains an advisory program, and counselors assist students with study habits, friendships and healthy relationships, as well as periods of stress or anxiety; staff include Student Well-Being Counselor Rubecca Hou and College Prep and Guidance Counselor Jenny Chen.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
AST lists a Student Support Specialist and a Learning Support Specialist on its staff, with Ms. Jenny Chen as Counselor in the Student Support Specialist role and Ms. Carmen Wofford as Learning Support Specialist, indicating targeted student support though no published list of SEN categories is provided.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
EAL support is provided through multilingual language specialists, including Multi-Lingual Language Program Coordinator Ms. Catherine Stark (MLL Specialist) and Secondary ML Specialist Ms. Joanna Morgan, with EAL placement or language support considered during admissions.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is integrated into counseling with a focus on Social Emotional Well-Being under Counseling Domains and dedicated counselors.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and child protection are addressed through the Parent Student Handbook and Child Protection program, including an Incident Reporting Form posted on campus and incidents managed by administrators and counselors.
Parent Experience

History
The American School in Taichung (AST) is located in the hills of the DaKeng Scenic Area in Beitun District, Taichung, and was founded in 1989. It was originally named Lincoln American School. It was founded by Anna Lee and Esther Hanna, and Anna Lee is a daughter of former President Lee Teng-hui. AST is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). A gym was added to the campus on August 8, 2013.

Community
The AST community is built on the values of compassion, courage, integrity, and contribution, and aims to foster a sense of belonging. The school offers a broad range of sports, arts, and extracurricular activities, supporting the development of global citizens. TAIMUN, a Taiwan Model United Nations conference, is hosted by AST and draws participants from across Taiwan and Asia. Families connect with AST through Alma, the student information system, and through calendars, forms, and other school communications.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
A formal PTA is not publicly listed on AST's online materials. Parent involvement channels include the Parent Student Handbook and Child Protection resources, with separate Elementary and Secondary handbooks available for download. TAIMUN is organized by AST students with staff support and serves as a major community activity; contact details for the conference indicate AST involvement. TAIFAIR is an AST-linked event that involves the school community. The English Immersion summer program is one of AST's activities that engages students and families. Family communications are supported through Alma, calendars, and forms.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The American School in Taichung is located in the Dakeng Scenic Area in Beitun, Taichung. The campus includes an on-site library that supports literacy and research with weekly sessions for Grades 1–5.

Academic Facilities
The AST library emphasizes reading and information literacy and offers weekly sessions for Grade 1 to Grade 5. The library provides resources in multiple media and gives access to the Destiny Discover catalog for finding and checking out materials.

Extra Curricular Facilities
AST offers a wide variety of clubs and sports. Clubs include longstanding groups such as Red Cross and Handmade for Help; activities are student-driven and rotate quarterly.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
AST offers a range of academic and intellectual activities beyond the classroom. The robotics program, TAI-VEX, engages Elementary through High School students and has achieved World Champion status in 2022, with seven teams advancing to the World Championship in 2023. Taiwan Model United Nations (TAIMUN) is a long-running AST activity for grades 8–12 that brings together schools from Taiwan and Asia for diplomacy, research, and debate. Students can publish their writing through Write for Delight, and the club program includes long-standing clubs like Red Cross and Handmade for Help, with new clubs entering each quarter and driven by students.

Arts & Creative
Arts and creative activities are part of AST's core offerings. The Elementary program includes specialized classes in art and music, supporting students' artistic development. The school also operates a STEM makerspace and ICT enrichment as part of its broader creativity and problem-solving opportunities. Students can develop creative writing through Write for Delight, a student writing site that publishes posts.

Cultural & Language
TAIMUN is a central cultural and intellectual activity at AST. The program began in 2001 and is a two-day Model United Nations conference for grades eight to twelve. It attracts participants from schools across Taiwan and Asia and develops public speaking, debate, research, writing, collaboration, and problem-solving. The Elementary program includes Chinese language instruction as part of its enrichment.

Social & Hobbies
AST offers a broad array of clubs and sports. Club and sport offerings change quarterly and are student-driven. Long-standing clubs include Red Cross and Handmade for Help. The program encourages students to explore new interests by trying clubs they may not have joined before.

Community & Service
Community service experiences are part of AST's educational experience. The Elementary School notes community service experiences as part of enrichment. Long-standing service-oriented clubs, such as Red Cross and Handmade for Help, support outreach activities. The school also offers field trips and other outreach opportunities.

Leadership & Professional
STUGO (Student Government) provides student leadership opportunities. TAIMUN and Model United Nations foster leadership through public speaking, diplomacy, and teamwork. The robotics program also offers leadership and teamwork experiences through its competition teams.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
AST provides sports and physical education as part of the student experience. Elementary students participate in physical education as part of core enrichment. The clubs and sports program offers athletic opportunities across grade levels.
Languages

Language Provision
Chinese is a required course for Grades 1–8. The Chinese program offers two pathways: Chinese Native Speakers (CNS) for fluent speakers and Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) for non-native learners. Mandarin instruction is provided across Elementary and Secondary divisions by multiple Mandarin teachers listed in the faculty directory. Spanish is offered in the Middle-High School (MS/HS) as a language option. The school has a Multi-Lingual Language Program Coordinator to support language learners (EAL) and multilingual learners.
Reputation

Awards
- 2022 VEX World Championship: World Champions. AST's robotics teams won the top title at the global VEX Worlds competition in 2022.
- 2024 VEX Worlds: Build Award (66799E) for exceptional robot construction. This is a recognized award at the World Championship highlighting build quality.
- 2024 VEX Worlds: Division Champion (66799G), Robot Skills 3rd Place (66799T), and Teamwork 3rd Place (66799T). These are top placements earned by AST's VEX teams at the world event.

Accreditations
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) – AST is accredited by WASC, a regional accreditation body that verifies and supports high-quality, standards-aligned schooling and ongoing school improvement.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Campus Tour. AST encourages prospective families to visit the campus and see the facilities in person. Tours are by appointment, so you should contact the Office of Admissions to schedule a time that works for you. This is your chance to observe classrooms, talk with staff, and ask questions about the school environment. (Office of Admissions contact and tour guideline are in the Admissions procedures.)

2. Submit Application and Documents. Complete the application and gather all required documents before submission. You must provide the application form, two letters of recommendation, complete records from previous schools (with English translation if needed), a copy of a current non-ROC passport, two 2-inch photos, a Doctor's certification of good health (completed Medical Form), and the non-refundable application processing fee of NT$3,000. Once submitted, materials become the property of the school.

3. Admission Interview/Test. For Grade 1 applicants, an English interview assesses reading, writing and basic math; for Grade 2 and above, applicants take an English proficiency test (speaking, listening, reading, writing) plus a computer-based math test. The process may include additional testing as needed. results are used for internal assessment and are not disclosed as a standalone score.

4. Admission Committee Review. The Admissions Committee reviews the application materials, test results, and interview outcomes to determine acceptance, appropriate grade level, and any potential English as an Additional Language (EAL) needs. Acceptability factors include passport status (foreign passport from non-ROC countries), academic history (average around B or equivalent), and age requirements. There are specific passport restrictions and conditions noted for various nationalities.

5. Admission Decision. The school will call to inform you of the admission decision and discuss registration and orientation steps for successful applicants. In some cases, a conditional offer of acceptance may be made based on meeting certain requirements.

6. Orientation and Scheduling. After tuition and fees are fully paid, counselors will help schedule classes for secondary students and place elementary students by grade level. New Student Orientation is held to welcome students before the new school year. Late arrivals and exchanges may be accommodated if space allows, but earlier applications are encouraged.

7. Required Admission Documents. In addition to the core application items, ensure you submit the Completed Medical Form and other required documents as listed (Application form, Two recommendation letters, and Completed Medical Form). The school notes that admissions materials are to be kept on file and not forwarded elsewhere.

Scholarships
3) Scholarships. AST does not publish a scholarship or financial-aid program on its admissions or tuition pages. The published fees and payment schedules show required and optional charges but do not indicate any merit or need-based scholarships. If you are seeking financial assistance, it is not described in the current published materials.

Waitlist
2) Waitlist/Pool. AST uses a rolling admissions process, with applications considered throughout the school year as space permits. There is no publicly described waitlist or pool system in the published admissions materials; decisions are made as applications are reviewed and space becomes available. Families should plan for potential openings by scheduling a campus tour and submitting an early application.
School Events
The school has not added events
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